Built on the ancient Gallo-Roman walls of the city of Caesarodonum (the ancient city of Tours), the Castle of Tours dates back to the 11th century, when it was built for the counts of Anjou, first becoming an important defensive fortress for the city and then a royal abode. Largely destroyed in the 18th century, much of the building (with the exception of the two towers) was rebuilt after the French Revolution and used as a barracks. Finally, after being restored in the second half of the twentieth century, it is now used as an evocative exhibition space for contemporary art and photography exhibitions.